Mangaluru, 15 Jan

City police in Mangaluru have registered an FIR against two individuals for allegedly circulating a provocative WhatsApp message that warned Hindus to "wake up before Mangaluru turns into Mini Bangladesh."

The post, which went viral on social media platforms, has raised concerns over its potential to incite communal tension and violence.

Mangaluru City Police Commissioner Sudhir Kumar Reddy on Thursday said the message was shared by a person identified as Ravindra and referred to a cluster of shops operating behind the Rao and Rao Circle autorickshaw stand, where a signboard reading 'Bengali Canteen' has been displayed.

Addressing the media, the Police Commissioner said the circulation of such messages could trigger attacks on innocent people.

He referred to a recent incident in which an Indian migrant worker was assaulted in the city following similar rumours, for which police had taken swift action.

The Commissioner clarified that police had verified the background of the family mentioned in the message and found that property had been legally purchased in their name in 2014.

He urged citizens not to jump to conclusions based on names, language, or appearance.

He further stated that if anyone has credible information about illegal immigrants from Bangladesh, they should report it to the police stations, Assistant Commissioners of Police, or the Commissioner's office. Police warned that sharing messages branding Indian citizens as Bangladeshis would invite strict legal action.